Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

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Former North Adams priest added to list of those credibly accused of sexual abuse

September 09, 2021

By Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle The late Rev. James Paul Menge has been added to the list of priests associated with the Springfield Diocese against whom a credible accusation of sexual abuse of a minor has been made. He was added to the list Sept. 1.  NORTH ADAMS — A priest who began his career in North Adams is the first to join the list of those “credibly accused” of sexual abuse since that roster expanded in June to include clergy who died before a survivor came forward. An official with the Springfield Diocese said Wednesday that the Rev. James Paul Menge, who died in 2010, was added to the roster Sept. 1. More than one person provided a credible report that he engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor.

Citing the best interest of the victim, prosecutors dismiss criminal charges against a Catholic priest; SNAP reacts

September 09, 2021

Wyandotte County prosecutors dismissed the charges in a criminal case against an Archdiocese of Kansas City Kansas priest, Fr. Scott Kallal. The cleric was facing two felonies for sexually abusing a child in 2015. While we respect the decision made by the DA's office, our thoughts are with this courageous young survivor and we are concerned about the message this may send to other potential victims who are considering reporting to law enforcement. In July of 2017 Fr. Kallal was suspended from public ministry after the Archdiocese received allegations from two different sources that he had engaged in "boundary violations." A man stated publicly that, in the summer of 2015, the priest had tickled his 11-year-old daughter and touched her breast at a church gathering. Fr. Kallal denied "any moral misconduct or malicious intent" and was sent to Maryland for treatment. He was arrested shortly thereafter on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. A trial in September 2019, ended in a hung jury. Fr. Kallal was to be retried in Spring 2020. 

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield sees progress, SNAP sees more of the same

September 09, 2021

In a press conference held Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Bishop William Byrne of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield recognized the work of an Independent Task Force on the Diocese's response to sexual abuse. The Independent Task force spent over a year reviewing how the Springfield Diocese responded to allegations of clergy sexual abuse. We appreciate this finding from the group. “The Task Force learned that a significant number of the ‘people in the pews’ are disillusioned by the diocese’s failure to communicate fully and accurately about the issue of clergy sexual abuse. In fact, many survivors said that the experience of having to deal with the diocese was more damaging to them than the actual sexual abuse.” Parishioners within this Diocese should be more than just disillusioned, they should be outraged. Abusive clerics baptized them, confirmed them, blessed them, married them, and buried their loved ones.

SNAP applauds the Democratic Coalition in Hungary for calling for a government investigation into the sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Church.

September 08, 2021

The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) in Hungary recently called for a government committee to look into accusations of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.  DK deputy Leader Ágnes Vadai said in an online press conference that the committee should not just investigate individual cases, but should also work to expose “systemic shortcomings” within the Church. We commend the DK for advocating for a secular investigation into the Church in a country where 62% of the population is Catholic. We echo the strong statement made by Leader Vadai, who noted that the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference had done nothing other than issue a single statement apologizing to the victims of sexual abuse. The lack of decisive action from the Hungarian bishops comes as no surprise for us since in our experience Catholic officials are always more concerned about covering up for their own "shepherds" rather than protecting and healing the vulnerable sheep. 

New Clergy Sex Abuse and Cover up Lawsuit Filed in Archdiocese of Houston

July 21, 2021

New Clergy Sex Abuse and Cover up Lawsuit Filed in Archdiocese of Houston “Once again, the church has put its reputation above the protection of children” SNAP Calls for Immediate Action by Church Officials

Abusers’ names to be written on sidewalk

June 23, 2021

Abusers’ names to be written on sidewalk All are predator priests ‘under the radar’ here One was convicted for trying to hire a hit man But he, nor the others, are on diocese 'perp list’ Each is ‘credibly accused’ say bishops elsewhere SNAP also reveals settlement vs. another cleric He’s “the most dangerous KC clergy offender”

SNAP leaders call on the Archdiocese of San Antonio to update the abusive clergy list and to include Marianists priests who served San Antonio

June 22, 2021

WHAT: Holding signs at a news conference, survivors of clergy abuse and their supporters will identify the accused Marianist clergy members who have worked in this community, provide contact information for support for any new survivors coming forward, urging them to report any abuse to law enforcement first. SNAP calls out the archdiocese and St. Mary’s to be proactive in finding survivors who may need support. WHEN:  Wednesday, June 23, 2021. 12pm WHERE: Outside the San Antonio Archdiocese headquarters, 2718 Woodlawn Ave, on the public sidewalk in front of the Archdiocese sign.
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SNAP Virtual Mini Conferences

These virtual mini conferences are free to all and will feature opportunities for survivors and advocates to learn about topics like healing, advocacy, and self-care from a variety of different speakers throughout the year. Our next mini-conference is scheduled for June 12 - learn more about our speakers and RSVP for free today!

We are especially grateful to the Ribera Law Firm of San Francisco, California for being a Gold-level Sponsor for our mini-conferences. Their support is critical to our ability to hold these free events and we are grateful to them for their support. Learn more about the Ribera Law Firm here.

 

We are also grateful to MK Safety Net who is a Bronze-level sponsor for our virtual conferences. MK Safety Net has been  a longtime supporter of SNAP and we are grateful for the work they do on behalf of missionary kids who have been abused. Learn more about MK Safety Net here.

Take Action and Stop Child Sexual Abuse

If you see child sexual abuse, or have a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse or your child has been sexually abused, call 911 or your local police immediately. 

If you suspect abuse, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit the Child Help Hotline. Trained crisis operators staff the lines 24/7 to answer your questions. If necessary, they will show you how to report in your local area.

Child pornography is a federal crime. If you see or suspect images that may be child pornography, report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTip Line. 

 

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